As the title of this thread suggests, I'm having some difficulty in coping with the geographical distance that separates me and my boyfriend (about 85 miles/2-hr drive).

We met at summer camp, and have been together for nearly 8 months. So far we've only managed to see each other once a month, and it's...frustrating to have to wait so long in between dates. Our last one was in mid-February, and now it's looking like we'll have to wait till early or mid-April to see each other again.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the relationship in and of itself; we both love each other very much and are planning for the long term. It's just that when we're apart, the only thing we can do is talk on the phone (which we do whenever we can) or e-mail. Those things help, but it just isn't the same as actually seeing each other. Not even close.

We're both frustrated from missing each other so much in the time we're apart. We try to keep busy as a distraction but that only works for so long. Any tips to make this easier would be greatly appreciated.

-Shannon

Snail mail. Snail mail is awesome.  Send each other little presents and letters.

Also, a lot of people I know in LDRs use web cams to keep in touch.  So you can still see each other moving even if you're not in the same room. I quite like that idea myself.  I met my friend's boyfriend [He in Virginia, she in NY] when they were talking via web cam one day. XD

[Me and my girlfriend are in a really LDR.. she's in England, I'm in NJ. Aaaaah.]

LDR can work out.  It isn't easy, but it can be done.  Web cams help, that is how I stay in touch with my daughter.

As far as a bf/gf relationship, I would need a bf first.    And then I could comment.

Janet

LDRs rock,  You get the love and not the bills and the total lack of free time.  There is an old Country song that goes "How can I miss you if you won't go away."  Lot of truth to that.

And, in Cali, 85 is not long distance, its commuter range.

Ah, but Tekla, she's 17 and can't drive yet.

LDR can work. Landon and I are currently in one. It's an 8 hr drive from my area to PA to his area of Canada and it's difficult, but we're doing it. We're planning to get married in August and then we can start the paperwork to move up there with him. It's difficult, especially when he has family that are against it, but we're making it work. Like it's been said, little gifts, webcam help. Phone, email, even IM if you can manage are awesome at aiding. And in the long run, it's worth it. It really helps build the trust, and so much more.

Do you have a local train station that drops by around where he lives? I know here, for me to go to Philly, which is about 2 hrs normal distance away, it's only $30 round trip. So that's something you could look into.

Ah, but Tekla, she's 17 and can't drive yet.

I don't drive either, and I commute sometimes as far as from Santa Rosa to San Jose to work.  Two words - Public Transit.

Quote from: tekla on March 22, 2009, 01:38:57 PM
Ah, but Tekla, she's 17 and can't drive yet.

I don't drive either, and I commute sometimes as far as from Santa Rosa to San Jose to work.  Two words - Public Transit.

::nods::

My friend from Boston commutes from here [NYC] to his house via public transit once a month or so.  Three-four hour bus ride but he does it.

The San Francisco Bay Area has one of the best transit systems in the United States.  The buses I ride, a lot of them have wi-fi, I love to read and they have good lights, and MP3 players are a gift of the gods to commuters. And it takes me a bit more time (but its time I'm surfing the web, or writing, or reading, or - my favorite - sleeping.  And when I get to work, I'm not stressed out, I don't feel like I need to shoot someone, its wonderful